MELBOURNE

Adorning the ceiling are several white lights, more like ufos really. On the stage there are a few pot plants. I can’t tell if they’re the same that I saw last year but they look about the same size, same thickness. Same plastic hue. I sit at the back of the room, bleachers of sort, and watch as the band and the handful of people who arrived earlier than I did talk amongst each other. A man in a loose fitting jacket and long beard climbs the ankle height stage. A dulled hum begins to sound and Paul Conrad begins his set.

Recently releasing a brand-new solo album for ABC Classics earlier this month, Simon Tedeschi is gearing up in preparation for a nation-wide tour, undertaking the immense challenge that is Mussorgsky's undeniable masterpiece - Pictures at an Exhibition. We spoke to the extremely talented man himself, where he spoke to us about artistic inspiration, his musical influences, and performing in front of 100,000 people.

If you haven’t yet checked out the Arbory Bar & Eatery, then you’ll be in for quite a treat. This lively all-day venue is situated between Platform 11 at Flinders Street Station and the Yarra River, right in the epicentre of Melbourne’s riverside arts and entertainment precinct. Nestled beneath a line of iconic plane trees and boasting over one hundred metres of uninterrupted river frontage, it is possibly one of the most spectacular Melbournian sites where you may take in the glorious city skyline over a playful tipple in the sunshine. With spring bathing the city in a warm glow over the weekend, it was the perfect time for the Arbory to launch its new cocktail list, marking the anniversary of the first train that left the Sandridge line towards Port Melbourne on September 12th, 1854. We headed along for the launch party, which turned out to be quite a fabulous affair.

The Drones celebrate the 10th Anniversary release of the album Wait Long By The River And The Bodies Of Your Enemies Will Float By by playing a typically scorching set at Melbourne's Forum Theatre. Local acts Batpiss and Steve Miller Band supported, while Tony Proudfoot was on hand to capture the celebrations.

To say Holy Holy are on a roll would be an understatement. The band of polished musicians followed up the release of debut album When The Storms Would Come with sold out shows around the country, including two at Melbourne's Howler. We were supremely lucky to catch them on the second night.

September is here and after an unusually cold winter, the sight of spring is particularly welcome. Melbourne’s Botanical Gardens are once-again alive with the chatter of birds meandering through the breeze, whilst the once-bare branches of sakura (cherry trees) along the Yarra River are beginning to bloom. These blossoming jewels have held a special place in Japanese hearts for centuries; during the period of Hanami (flower viewing), Japanese people often gather beneath the branches of sakura to celebrate the bounty of spring by eating and drinking together. It is only fitting then that Southbank’s contemporary Japanese restaurant and bar, Saké, has launched a new spring menu that heralds the unmistakable flavours of the season.

This September, Melbourne’s greatest kitchens on wheels will return to the Coburg Drive-In for an impressive Food Truck Festival. Running over two consecutive days, the festival is billed as the ultimate way to see the biggest films under the stars with some very tasty food.

Just a stone’s throw away from Melbourne, you will find the heart of Warrandyte – a verdant village tucked away in the once gold-rich rolling hills at the doorstep to the Yarra Valley. This secluded, sleepy township along the banks of the Yarra River is home to one of the area’s most resplendent gems – Altair Restaurant – a place where visitors may discover the regional passion for good food and fine wine.

When I first heard about a choir that boasted 300 people, I immediately knew that I had to see this spectacle myself. The Boite Millennium Chorus is comprised of singing enthusiasts from all over Victoria who gather every August for a grand concert at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall. The theme for this year was a celebration of African Music titled ‘One Africa’. The choir had teamed up with an array of African musicians, singers, and dancers to put on what would be an incredible performance.

When it comes to food choices, do you find that most of your meals rely on convenience? Are you throwing your healthy eating habits out the window in favour of flavour? During a visit to the recently opened Little Sunflower Café, we discovered that nourishing and sustainable food is not always about making unreasonable sacrifices.

Jen Cloher performed in the ACMI Lightwell on Friday night as part of the "Bowie Late Nights" concert series in conjunction with the David Bowie Is... exhibition. Support came from David Bowie ukelele cover band, The Thin White Ukes. Tony Proudfoot was on hand to witness and capture these images.

Hellyeah played the Corner Hotel in Melbourne last night, accompanied by Graveyard Rockers and Mammoth Mammoth. They delivered an epic show. Check out all the photos from the night here, by Rebecca Houlden: